195
almost be considered as original, since in these families the
knowledge of language ind religion is preserved with the
minutest care." l
The Palmyra books are never much beyond two feet in
length and two inches in breadth, as the size of the webs
between the little ribs will not admit of their increase in size.2
CULTIVATION IN INDIA.—"This grand palm is not much used
in gardens, and perhaps rightly so. It takes up much space,
and generally looks unhappy compared with the same species
on hill-sides near Bombay, where its tail cylindrical stem
crowned with immense fan-shaped leaves is a grand feature in
the landscape. But in the Botanical Gardens at Calcutta a
special use has been found for which it is well adapted. On the
outskirts of the garden a gently winding path, about 12 feet in
width, has this palm planted near the sides about 10 feet apart;
the effect of the thick stems ornamented by the persistent leaf-
stalks is strangely happy. To grow this palm quickly a moist
climate is necessary, and the seed should be sown where it is
required to grow, because it first sends a shoot downwards to
a depth of 3-4 feet, and then from the bottom of this shoot the
bud,\.which forms the stem, is developed" (Woodrow). Some
few trees that from unknown causes do not flower in spring,
put on their flowers in the cold season, and give a scanty supply
of toddy, but in spring many are rendered artificially barren
by breaking off the flowering bud as it begins to form. These
also flower in the winter season, and are called Basanti. They
do not give above 21- maunds of juice, but this is of as much
value as the 6 maunds which a tree gives in spring. Either
the male or female will answer for the spring or winter crop,
but the female alone will yield juice in the rainy season. When
this is wanted, the fruit is allowed to form, and afterwards the
point of the spadix or stern which supports the clusters is cut
and allowed to bleed. This does not prevent a great many f riiit
on each cluster from coming to maturity. Palms managed thus
are called Gboiir. The fruit ripens in August, but many of the
stems continue to bleed until October.
CXTLTIVATIOK IN EUROPE.—This species is a stove plant. It
1 Cf. also same notes of .Lombok in the Journal of tJie Indian Archipelago, etc.,
Vol. II, Ko. 3., p. 161.
9 Ferguson, 1. c. p. 26.
25*